SOGI-Inclusive Education Myth Busting

By BC Education and Child Care. Oct 2023.
"To support district and school leaders to respond to misinformation about SOGI-inclusive education in schools, here are some common myths and supporting responses."

 

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How furries got swept up in anti-trans 'litter box' rumors

We unpacked the origins of baseless rumors that schools are installing litter boxes for students who identify as cats to use instead of toilets

By Bethania Palma. Published Jan 30, 2023.   (US)

"Utah State University folklorist Lynne McNeill identified the litter box rumor as an urban legend, a narrative spread on the internet, or by word of mouth, that pops up year after year. People sharing the stories often aren't sources with firsthand knowledge of the alleged litter box, but, rather, they say they heard the rumor from a 'friend of a friend' (or, in the words of the OAN host, 'I just heard of a girl who...') without many details to trace the anecdotes' true origins."

     The term furry describes a diverse community of fans, artists, writers, gamers, and role players. Most furries create for themselves an anthropomorphized animal character (fursona) with whom they identify and can function as an avatar within the community. Some furries wear elaborate costumes (called fursuits) or paraphernalia such as animal ears or tails, or represent themselves as anthropomorphic animals in online communities such as Second Life.

     An important thing to know about furries is that it's a fandom, a social fellowship — not a demographic group like members of the LGBTQ+ community. That is, furries are fantasy fans. The vast majority create fictional, anthropomorphic personas called 'fursonas'. Those characters are used as avatars for social purposes, often imbued with positive characteristics. Some engage in the furry equivalent of cosplaying, or costuming, at social gatherings and events like conventions.

     But that doesn't mean members of the furry fandom literally believe they are non-human animals. Roberts said that's an important distinction — 'most furries do not identify as animals — they identify with animals.'  "

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​​US & INTERNATIONAL

KINDERGARTEN to GRADE 12

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Does not apply in Alberta in a legal sense, but includes

good information for working with schools.

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Advice for transgender and non-binary students heading back to school

By HRC (Human Rights Foundation).  2018.

"We asked some of our trans and gender-expansive colleagues here at HRC to help out and provide some advice to trans and non-binary students as they get ready to head back to their classrooms."

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Childhood trauma isn't a rite of passage. Period.

By Vanessa Lee Nic. Raising a Trans Child blog post. May 3, 2020.

"Bullying is not a rite of passage. Suffering in these formative preteen years is not a rite of passage. We need to change the narrative."

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Being 'Enby

By Clio Hartzer. Blog.

Clio is a non-binary teacher and a blogger. They blog on various topics including for teachers working with gender-diverse students. See 2 of Clio's infographics on this page.  https://medium.com/bein-enby

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Creating gender inclusive schools
Gender Spectrum website. Film, 21 minutes.   (US)
“What happens when you bring gender training to a public elementary school?

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Defining LGBTQ+ words for elementary school students

Produced by the HRC Foundation (Human Rights Campaign).   (US)

"When children ask questions about LGBTQ+ words, it is often best to offer simple and direct answers. You might choose to answer a student’s question with another question to figure out what they are really asking -- is it about name-calling, a classmate’s two dads or something they saw on the internet. Listening first helps you respond. Here are a few items to keep in mind when defining terms for children..."

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​Education and gender expansive students

Gender Spectrum website. Groups and Resources.  (US)
Numerous articles on schools and gender expansive students.
 

Engendering inclusivity in a language class

Rachel Cunning. Learning for Justice.  2018.   (US)

"Language classrooms allow students to grapple with how gender affects their understanding of the world, but they also allow teachers to engender their own classrooms as inclusive and safe places for all students."

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For teachers: “How should I ask for students’ pronouns?”

By Clio Corvid. Being 'Enby blog post. Aug 2021.

"...I laud the effort of any cisgender, heterosexual teacher who wants to genuinely support their LGBTQIA students. Take this and all my writings for teachers in the spirit of wanting to help you do that in the most helpful way possible."  Clio is a non-binary teacher and a blogger.

 

Framework for: Gender inclusive schools

Gender Spectrum website. (US)
“Gender inclusive schools ask: ‘How are we accounting for the unique gender of every student?'”
 

Gender Inclusive Schools store

US website.

Has various products for use in schools to indicate affirming staff and/or school.

"Being kind is powerful. Show your kindness towards LGBTQ+ students with one of our Safe Educator products."

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​Initial school meeting
Parenting Resources. Gender Spectrum website.  (US)
“Whether you are new to a school or returning, forming a positive relationship with school administrators and staff is vital to the safety and success of your gender-expansive child. An important first step is to ask for a meeting with the school administration to discuss your child’s needs and the school’s practices and policies. Be sure to approach the school as partners, not as adversaries. Assume they have positive intentions — the vast majority of educators are interested in the well-being of their students, but they may have little or no training about working with gender-expansive children.”
 

Making schools safer for LGBTQ+ students: Tips and resources
Real Mama Bears. 2021.  (US)
“My hope is that the information, material and resouces provided will be used to inspire everyday people like myself to talk about and push to make schools safer and fully inclusive for LGBTQ+ students. You can find more comprehensive programs out there but I wanted to create something basic that the average person could easily use to start the process of making positive changes in the schools in their area.”
 

​Model local education agency policy on transgender and nonbinary students
By GLSEN and National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE). Rev Oct 2020.  (US)

“GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students” (US).
 

​​Non-binary students and pronouns: A guide for public school educators

By Clio Hartzer. Being’ Enby blog.  Oct 2020

“Thank you for taking the time to read what follows. For many people, the increasing visibility of non-binary persons and the accompanying language can seem overwhelming. However, when you help create a climate that respects marginalized students, studies have shown that all students feel safer and respected.”

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Ready, set, respect! GLSEN’s elementary school toolkit
By GLSEN. 2016.  (US)
“A toolkit such as this helps educators get ready to deliver inclusive, diversity-focused lessons and set their classrooms and students up for learning in an  environment of respect. GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students”.

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The reflective workbook for teachers and support staff of trans and non-binary students: Your school's transition as your students transition

By D.M. Maynard. Jan 20, 2021.  Book.   (US)

"A reflective workbook aimed at teachers and support staff of students who are transitioning or questioning their gender. This book provides insights, practical tools, and opportunities for self-reflection. It discusses the unique needs of teachers and schools as they navigate supporting the gender journeys of their transgender, non-binary, or gender questioning students by enabling staff to identify, understand, and incorporate the needs of this population.
     The chapters of this essential resource offer guidance on how to implement appropriate school policies and inclusive curriculum, learn topical terminology, address bullying, and develop bathroom guidelines. This book will help school staff ensure that students feel safe, included, and respected, while creating a judgment-free space for teachers, support staff, and administrators'' own self-exploration as they embark on the process of acquiring new and relevant information. Personal anecdotes from real-life educational experiences heighten awareness and perspective, alongside interactive activities, enjoyable quizzes, answers to common questions, and positive affirmations."

D. M. Maynard has been an educator in New York for more than thirty years and has used her expertise in teaching to create workshops and workbooks. She presents internationally on the needs of partners, parents, and families of trans individuals and lives in New York.

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Responding to concerns: Teaching about gender (“Educator Resources”)
Gender Spectrum website.  (US)
“You can make a difference for all of your students by being intentional in the ways you approach teaching about gender.”

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Schools in transition: A guide for supporting transgender students in K-12 schools
By Human Rights Campaign (HRC), American Civil Liberties Union, Gender Spectrum, et al. (US)
“Rather than a static set of recommendations and formulas, this guide responds to the dynamics that affect a transgender student’s experiences in school. The guide is geared toward the needs of all students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, and incorporates distinctions and recommendations based on the specific ages and stages of students’ development.”

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Spotlight Q&A: Implementing a gender support plan at school

Board Transforming Family. Aug 3, 2021.   (US)

”Using the Gender Support Plan. CASE STUDY: Glendale Unified School District, featuring Dr. Kelly King, Assistant Superintendent. A Gender Support Plan (GSP) is an online, fillable form that you can save, share, and download. School staff, caregivers, and the student can work together to complete the GSP. Ideally, each team member will spend time filling out the various sections to the best of their ability and then come together to review sections and confirm shared agreements about using the plan. Hosted by Gender Spectrum, this online tool is an excellent way for your student to set ideal parameters for success and affirmation.”

[Click HERE to go to "Using the Gender Support Plan" by Gender Spectrum]

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​​Student and GSA resources
By GLSEN.  (US)
“GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community. We welcome any and all individuals as members, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and/or occupation, who are committed to seeing this philosophy realized in K-12 schools.  “GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students.”

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Supporting transgender students: Understanding gender identity and reshaping school culture

By Alex Myers, Jun 2021.

“Supporting Transgender Students is a guide to help schools learn the basics of what gender is and why it matters in education. Drawing on the author's 25 years of experience working with schools and transgender students, this book considers how transgender and gender non-conforming youth experience the classroom, the playing field, and other school contexts. (This book) provides a clear roadmap and practical examples for how to take action in your school to effect change and create a gender inclusive community.”

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Transgender youth in schools: An infographic

Presented by GLSEN, MAP, and National Center for Transgender Equality.

Includes US statistics on discrimination within schools.

“Transgender students are part of our school communities and, like other students, they’re there to learn, graduate and prepare for their future. That means they need to be able to attend school and be safe, respected, and use the school facilities, such as restrooms, that match the gender they live every day without being singled out for discrimination and harassment."

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Using the Gender Support Plan

Gender Spectrum.   (US)
“The Gender Support Plan is a detailed form to help you create a shared understanding among school staff, parents and a student about the ways in which the student’s authentic gender will be accounted for and supported at school.

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Welcoming schools

"Creating safe and welcoming schools. HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools is the most comprehensive bias-based bullying prevention program in the nation to provide LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive professional development training, lesson plans, booklists and resources specifically designed for educators and youth-serving professionals. Our program uses an intersectional, anti-racist lens dedicated to actionable policies and practices. We uplift school communities with critical tools to embrace family diversity, create LGBTQ+ and gender inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, and support transgender and non-binary students."

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​Why focus on gender?

​Gender Spectrum. Educator Resources.  (US)
“Ideas about gender are evolving – from toys to clothing to online spaces, gender lines are being blurred as never before. When schools work intentionally to create more gender inclusive conditions, they not only establish a greater sense of acceptance for transgender and other gender diverse students, they communicate to the entire community that whatever one’s gender experience look like, it will be accepted.”

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US & INTERNATIONAL - POST-SECONDARY